Nissan Murano 2.5

Prepare to feel like a celebrity in the Nissan's latest stylish SUV.

What's New
Nissan may be a latecomer to the full-sized Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) party, but what a grand entrance it has made with the new Murano. While many SUVs rely on their sheer size to make a statement, the Murano effortlessly turns heads because it oozes style.

An exotic mix of curves all over its body combined with some flashy details - most notably the huge chrome front grille - mean that this isn't a car for those who prefer to keep a low profile on the road. But if you don't mind the staring and pointing, the Murano could be just the ticket to large SUV ownership without the associated high costs.

For starters, the base 2.5-litre model is a good $30K cheaper than an entry-level Lexus RX300. The Murano 2.5 does without a energy-sapping four-wheel drive system too, which is perfectly fine because exactly zero percent of its owners are likely to take it off-road. And, although it is built on the same basic platform as the Cefiro, the Murano uses the X-Trail's torque-rich and fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine instead of the Cefiro's 2.3-litre V6.

All-round visibility from the driver's seat is terrific and the base of the front windscreen is placed unusually far forward, adding to the overall sense of spaciousness.

Rear seat passengers are well taken care of even with the front seats pushed all the way back. The boot however, isn't all that spacious given the car's size.

How it Performs
Nissan says it developed the Murano as a 'crossover' vehicle - one that attempts to blend the image and high-riding stance of an SUV with the driveability of a saloon. It has mostly succeeded, too. You need to work the 163bhp engine hard to get the 1.7 tonne car moving briskly though, but the four-cylinder powerplant remains smooth and quiet throughout its rev range so progress is always calm.

The Murano maintains a flat and stable attitude without losing its poise when it's driven quickly through corners, and the firm damping means there's a welcome lack of pitch and dive during acceleration and braking.

Ride comfort is generally good, too, with only sharper bumps encountered at low speed making their way through the huge 18-inch alloy wheels and suspension to reach passengers' bottoms

It's also loaded with equipment - standard on both the 2.5 and 3.5 models are a multi-function trip computer, a Bose stereo with steering wheel remote controls and a reversing camera. The latter shares its LCD screen with a locally-developed navigation system that sounds like a cool feature to have, but its baffling user interface and slow response limit its usefulness.

How it Stacks Up
Although it will sell on its styling alone, the Murano proves a very capable SUV in its own right. Its car-like dynamics and impressive refinement make it a fine choice for buyers who are looking for something that looks stylish and rugged, but are unwilling to sacrifice the handling and comfort of a conventional sedan.

Technical Specifications

MODEL Nissan Murano 250XL ENGINE Engine: 2,488cc 16V in-line 4 Max Power: 163bhp @ 5,200rpm Max Torque: 245Nm @ 3,600rpm TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic TOP SPEED 180km/h 0-100km/h 11.9s